Three Stoke City legends helped re-launch a Co-op store after the business scored an impressive £435,000 refurbishment.

Potters heroes Denis Smith, Jackie Marsh along with ex-City player John Ruggiero cut the ribbon at the Lightwood shop - which re-opened yesterday after being closed for the four-week revamp.

And customers can enjoy a range of new additions including a bakery with hot food on sale, plus an extended chilled section.

Manager Gareth Atkinson was delighted to have some of the Potters' most famous players at the Belgrave Road store. He said: "This is an exciting time for the whole team and we are thrilled with the new store.

"I'm a big Stoke fan so it was really exciting to have the guys come down to open it."

The new-look store, which has created three extra jobs, will now be supporting good causes in the local area though its customers' membership.

Staff will also hold a raffle to raise cash for ex-Premier League referee John Hilditch's charity work for Parkinson's disease sufferers.

Jackie and Denis, who helped Stoke win the League Cup in 1972, both live locally and praised the Co-op's community work.

Jackie, aged 69, who lives in Longton, said: "It's brilliant that money from the store goes into local good causes.

"I do pop into the store and I think it looks really good. It has been great coming down for the opening."

Denis, aged 69, of Rough Close, added: "We're local lads – I was born just up the road from here – and they wanted us to come down to open it, so we thought why not?

"I think the store looks brilliant."

Along with the new additions at the shop, located on 'Florence Park', there is also an increased range of products on offer.

Gareth, aged 40, from Biddulph, said: "We have a bigger range of own-brand goods which will be a boost for our members because they receive a five per cent reward on the purchase of own-branded products and services, with a further one per cent benefiting local good causes.

"Organisations can put themselves forward through the Co-op's website to be considered to receive funds.

"Our members can then choose which of three causes they want to receive their one per cent. It's brilliant to be able to put back into the community."

Groups that have already received funding from the Co-op include Animal Lifeline, Headway North Staffordshire and Sandford Hill Playgroup.

Co-op team member Fiona Bradford, aged 46, from Lightwood, was delighted with the new store. "It looks absolutely amazing – it's really fresh, light and airy," she said. "The customers are going to love it.

"Denis, Jackie and John have been amazing and we want to thank them for coming down."